Building constructed from new steel structures.
I think that the Industrial Revolution was a catalyst for having new materials used in architecture, which can also be seen as advancements. The materials include steel and iron, and this allowed structures to be even taller and have more glazing. Structures that come to mind for this are skyscrapers. A lot of these structures implementing steel and wide-span structures are used to do something productive, such as being office or manufacturing factory spaces.
This is a great example of the material advancements of the Industrial Revolution. I agree that materials such as iron and steel are arguably the most influential changed as a result of this time period, especially with regards to architecture. It’s hard to imagine a world in which the majority of our commercial spaces are not constructed out of metal.
In lecture this week, we learned that the growing popularity of and reliance on metal in the building industry did remain relatively focused on productive spaces, as you mentioned in your post. Metal was not largely adopted as a stylish material or for its aesthetic properties, and because of that the expression of such structures stuck to factories, transportation buildings, markets, and other utilitarian buildings because people did not care what they looked like (Kive, Lecture 5W). Cast iron was not viewed as beautiful, but instead cheap and efficient. Only in the case of exhibition buildings that emphasized the novelty of technology and science were these metal forms celebrated for the public users. Instead, such as in the example that you provided, metal structures were used because it was efficient to do so but it was hidden by detail that imitated previous styles (Kive, Lecture 5W).
I agree more with your thinking than that of the Industrial Revolution. Metal is an incredibly important and influential material that should be celebrated for all its qualities and capabilities, rather than being hidden behind masking facades. It’s incredible to look back and appreciate the early skyscrapers that have led us to the cityscapes that we are familiar with today.
This is a great example of buildings using meatal from the industrial revolution. One thing I learned in lecture this week I was not aware of prior was that the iron was used to mimic stone in building facades . I can not tell from the photo but it sure looks like the examples in lecture. I really had no idea and I am sure have mistaken many buildings I thought built of solid stone to be of metal made to look like a carved stone structure. I find this very fascinating how at the time the material was not celebrated more an shown off as something totally different.
In lecture it was discussed how the middle class basically wanted to have the look of the rich peoples items and used the new materials to mimic that. It is something that has continued in interior architecture today with plastics mimicking wood and stone today in interiors floors and countertops. I have always found this a bid odd why new material was not celebrated more by creating something that looks totally different. Turf is one of those that always bugged me. there is so much green out side why not make the fake grass in a playground a fun color? Or with cast iron why not make a totally different facade? have a bit of fun?